Feasibility Study and Economic Analysis of Spotted Deer (Axis axis) Farming in Nepal

Feasibility study and Economic Analysis of Spotted Deer (Axis axis) Farming in Nepal

In the present economic condition, farmers have to diversity their current programs for cattle, sheep and cereal production. One form of diversification, which is rapidly growing in popularity, is to farm deer. Domestication of deer as a business is not in practiced and legally permitted in Nepal. Rearing of deer for personal pleasure is an age-old practice. Illegal hunting of deer is in practice in Terai excessively for meat. This study deals with feasibility study and financial return of deer farming with emphasizing Chital in Nepal.

The study was carried out in two phases. First by observation of deer husbandry farm and second by market survey done through questionnaire for feasibility and propose price of deer products. In feasibility study, 250 questionnaires were sent to respondents in 5 major cities of the country, 50 in each city.

In the model of 2 ha Chital farm, expenditure was more than revenue in the first four years. Then increase rate of revenue will be greater than expenditure in the following year. Financial analysis of deer farm in Nepal shows that the internal rate of return (IRR) of 2 ha farm is 20.14%. Collecting the information based on the study of deer rearing center and proposed price of deer products by respondents and current market price of different materials did analysis.

The response shown in five major cities of country showed that most Nepalese people are interested to use deer products. Out of total respondents 68% have keen interest to use meat of Chital and 83% are interested to use antler and skin for different purposes. In all five cities, majority of people proposed to pay higher price than that of mutton.

Commercial farming of chital will be beneficial to community forest and leasehold forest. It also helps in conservation work if it is practiced in buffer zone.